Thanks for the advice, Dawson. I did exactly that - and everything now seems to be fine. It's been great to have your support, people, thank you.

Hi prince15. Luckily I wasn't in that situation. However, if a contract had been signed, I wouldn't have broken it....well, I don't think I would have. It's so hard to know until you're in the situation. I think the amount of time that has passed plays a big factor - if the visa processing etc has already started, I think that's a lot worse, the school has already invested too much time and money into you. Reading through the thread suggested by admin, I also wasn't "looking" after I'd verbally accepted the job - the offer came from a school that interviewed me over a month ago.

I've only just seen the contract now, and to be honest there are a few things that I'm unsure about. I really appreciate feedback from people, it's made me feel a lot better. Thanks! It's nice to know changing my mind now does not make me a completely evil person!

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I struggle with the search function on this site. So, on Sunday I accepted an offer. No contract has been signed, or even delivered as yet. The offer is with a great school, but not my ideal country, however I have a family to support so I accepted in a panic. Today (Tuesday morning), an offer comes through from another good school in my number 1 country choice. This is not about money, as both packages are pretty much the same, and its not about quality of school, again they're both pretty equal. It's all about the country. I am usually such a "good" person - I always play by the rules and stick to my word. But this time I'm really torn. My country of choice is extremely child-friendly, and I have a baby. The other school is somewhere I personally don't find so attractive to raise a family in. Do I go through with original decision or jump ship now? And am I honest in my reason or make up a story about why I can no longer accept. If it was just me on my own, I'd probably stick to my word, but having the family to think about makes it so much more complicated. Please help!

I'm feeling similar. I'm currently on my second international teaching position, but had 5 years ESL teaching experience prior to that. I've managed to add what I think is an impressive number of achievements to my CV, I've tailored letters to schools missions, I've researched individual schools for jobs (rather than waiting for a general advert on a big website), I've used contacts I have in the industry. I know my downside is that I'm expensive, with one child and a non-teaching partner. But I honestly thought with the work I've put in, and the experience I know have, that securing a position would be easy this time. How naive can you be?! So far, I've managed to rack up 4 interviews (from about 30 applications). I have been offered one job, but not the middle management role I applied for - it would be quite a big step down back to classroom teacher (I'm currently in senior management, managing a very large department), which I find frustrating as it's like I would be throwing away all my hard work to get as far as I have. So do I take the position I never wanted in the country which was bottom of our list or take the risk that something better will come up? Am really feeling the pressure with a family to support. You all have my sympathy.

Most schools I've spoken to have said they'll let me know by the end of the month. Two schools, however, have both said if I receive an offer from another school, but am more interested in working for them, then to let them know and they'll see what they can do. I imagine other schools also think this but have not explicitly said so. My plan is, should I receive an offer from a "B" choice school, is to email the "A" schools and explain I have had an offer, however they remain my first choice, and would they be able to let me know the outcome of my application a little earlier. If they want you, then they will, and if they say you need to wait, chances are they are not that interested in the first place!

Have a look on TiC recruitment, teacher horizons, and COIS as well. I tend to fly solo but these agencies have had some interesting positions.

I'm in the same position. I did manage to get one interview by jumping the gun and getting my application in before the post was well-advertised. DOn't think I got the job though - they've asked me to wait until the end of Jan so they can't be that keen. However, I did learn to talk about concept-based learning, and have since gone off and researched the work of HL Erickson, so I can now add some of the theory to my letter and show my initiative in finding out more. You could try that?

Is GEMS Singapore only advertised through Search at the moment? I really want to apply, but am not with them (nor am I going to be after I fell out with my associate!).

A friend of mine who does supply teaching in Singapore says it's not one of the best, but it's not terrible either. I've applied for a job there because I felt the same as you...it's on the up...

Have there been any jobs advertised at GEMS yet? Nothing on the website - wondered if they'd been advertised in Singapore itself? Any other schools you have the inside scoop on, Snowbeavers?

I'd like to revive this thread as I'm currently looking into Singapore. Was wondering if anyone had any further info on Nexus as I know it's undergone quite a few changes recently. There's nothing on the review site about it. I have a trailing spouse and a daughter so would like to know which schools provide a decent enough package for us to survive on. Also, are there any more new schools opening up that are worth looking into? Cheers!

Hi Nomads,

Yes, my partner is applying to universities in different countries - he is applying for the courses, then I research jobs in the same countries that he is applying to.

Our baby is OUR daughter, not just his, and she's not yet 1 so wouldn't need a school place for her for a few years (just looked back at my original post and I didn't make that clear).

not that I think either of these things will help the situation, I think tangchao is right...we'll have to get married...which we are planning to do at some point, would just be nice not to have to rush it so we could do it the way we want it!

I appreciate all the input, everyone. Wish it was more positive but need the honesty :?

Thanks for your honesty. We're not married, so I would not expect any provision in my contract to cover him. I've always been under the impression that only spouses will be included in benefit packages. Am just hoping people will give me the opportunity to interview before writing me off so they can see I'm worth it!

It's the visa thing that I think might put schools off, so have stressed that he will be studying so will be on a student visa, ie not their problem. Am also worried that they think I won't be able to fully commit time-wise due to having such a young child...